WATERLOO -- Terry Branstad became a household name to Iowans during his 16 years as governor.

Now the state's longest-serving chief executive is using that name recognition in his new job heading Des Moines University. Branstad, who became president of the private medical school Aug. 15, spoke to the Downtown Waterloo Rotary Club Monday at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

"I'm very honored to be the new president," Branstad said during the lunch time meeting. "I never imagined as a lawyer and as someone who spent his life in politics that I would be the president of a health care institution."

But Branstad called the position a "fun new challenge" that makes use of the contacts he developed during a long career in the Legislature and governor's mansion.

After leaving politics, he was offered a seat on Des Moines University's board. Two years later, Dr. Richard Ryan, the university's president, retired and the board started a national search for his replacement. The board's chairman, Dr. Gilbert Bucholz, asked Branstad to be a candidate for the job, saying they were looking for someone who has the contacts to raise money and the profile of the 106-year-old school, formerly known as the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery.

The university has just more than 1,000 students and colleges of osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine and health sciences. It is in the midst of a campaign to raise $13 million to replace its oldest building and increase scholarship funding. While in Waterloo, he visited university alumni at Covenant Medical Center and Allen Hospital.

Following his speech, Branstad commented on a proposal in the Legislature to sell the Iowa Communications Network, which he helped create while governor. The statewide network was launched in 1989 to provide fiber-optics access to schools, colleges and health care.

"Instead of selling, I would say make it into a public utility," said Branstad. "And then we would continue to provide (services) at a subsidized rate for education, health care. … It's a great resource for distance learning."

He believes the state should sell the excess capacity to businesses and individuals so people could have access to the network through their telephone or Internet provider.